scholarly journals Stress-related inflammation and social withdrawal in mothers after childhood cancer diagnosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily K Lindsay ◽  
Tristen K. Inagaki ◽  
Catherine Walsh ◽  
Berhane Messay ◽  
Linda Ewing ◽  
...  

Objective: Acute inflammation-induced sickness behavior involves changes in social behavior that are believed to promote recovery. Whether chronic inflammation can influence social behaviors in ways that promote recovery is unknown. In a sample of mothers of a child with cancer, this report explores the relationship between inflammation that accompanies the stress of diagnosis and changes in social network, cancer-related stress, and inflammation across one year. Three hypotheses were tested, that (1) initial stress would associate with initial inflammation, (2) initial inflammation would predict social changes over time, and (3) social changes over time would buffer stress and inflammation over time. Methods: Cancer-related stress (Impact of Events Scale), social network (social roles and contacts from the Social Network Inventory), and systemic inflammation (circulating IL-6) were assessed in 120 mothers three times after their child’s cancer diagnosis: following diagnosis (T1), 6-month follow-up (T2), and 12-month follow-up (T3). Results: Consistent with predictions, greater cancer-related stress following diagnosis (T1) was associated with higher IL-6 following diagnosis (T1; b=.014, p=.008). In turn, higher IL-6 following diagnosis (T1) was associated with a decrease in social roles over time (T1-->T3; B=-.030, p=.041), particularly peripheral social roles. Finally, dropping social roles over time (T1-->T3) was associated with decreases in cancer-related stress (B=21.83, p=.040) and slower increases in IL-6 (B=.940, p=.036) over time.Conclusions: This study provides a first indication that chronic stress-related systemic inflammation may predict changes in social behavior that associate with stress recovery and slower increases in inflammation in the year following a major life stressor.

2019 ◽  
Vol 267 (1) ◽  
pp. 259-266
Author(s):  
Aleksander H. Erga ◽  
Guido Alves ◽  
Ole Bjørn Tysnes ◽  
Kenn Freddy Pedersen

Abstract The longitudinal course of ICBs in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) relative to controls has not been explored as of yet. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency, evolution and associated cognitive and clinical features of impulsive and compulsive behaviors (ICBs) over 4 years of prospective follow-up in a population-based cohort with early Parkinson’s disease (PD). We recruited 124 cognitively intact participants with early PD and 156 matched controls from the Norwegian ParkWest study. ICBs were assessed using the self-report short form version of the Questionnaire for Impulsive–Compulsive Disorders in PD. Cognitive changes were examined in PwP with and without ICBs who completed the 4-year follow-up. Generalized linear mixed modelling and mixed linear regression were used to analyze clinical factors and cognitive changes associated with ICBs in PwP over time. ICBs were more common in PwP than controls at all visits, with an age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) varying between 2.5 (95% CI 1.1–5.6; p = 0.022) and 5.1 (95% CI 2.4–11.0; p < 0.001). The 4-year cumulative frequency of ICBs in PwP was 46.8% and 23.3% developed incident ICBs during the study period, but the presence of ICBs was non-persistent in nearly 30%. ICBs were independently associated with younger age (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91–0.99: p = 0.008) and use of dopamine agonist (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.56–10.69). Cognitive changes over time did not differ between patients with and without ICBs. In conclusion, ICBs are common in PwP, but are often non-persistent and not associated with greater cognitive impairment over time.


2018 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Min Park ◽  
Kyung Ho Oh ◽  
Jae-Gu Cho ◽  
Seung-Kuk Baek ◽  
Soon-Young Kwon ◽  
...  

Objective: We analyzed the changes in voice- and swallowing-related symptoms that occurred over time in patients who underwent thyroidectomy and identified any associated risk factors. Methods: One hundred and three patients who underwent thyroidectomy were enrolled. Results: The mean thyroidectomy voice-related questionnaire (TVQ) score before surgery was 12.41 ± 12.19; it significantly increased to 28.24 ± 18.01 ( P < .001) 1 month postoperatively, decreased to 24.02 ± 17.30 ( P = .014) and 20.66 ± 15.29 ( P = .023) 3 and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. It was continuously decreased to 18.83 ± 14.63 twelve months postoperatively. The temporal changes in TVQ scores between patients who underwent total thyroidectomy or lobectomy were significantly different. There was a statistically significant difference in the temporal changes in TVQ according to whether neck dissection was performed. The temporal changes in TVQ in patients with and without extrathyroidal extension were significantly different. Conclusions: Voice- and swallowing-related discomfort in patients who received thyroidectomy showed dynamic changes over time. There was a significant difference in the degree of change according to clinicopathological factors. Patients with these risk factors may benefit from appropriate patient education and various rehabilitation programs for symptom relief.


2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy B. Smith ◽  
Christopher R. Stones ◽  
Anthony Naidoo

The many social changes that have occurred in South Africa since the first democratic elections in 1994 warrant that careful scrutiny be given to the racial attitudes of South Africa's young adults. Their degree of acceptance of the doctrine of deracialisation and reconciliation represents a hope or a warning about the possibility of a stable future. A follow-up study was thus carried out in order to update data collected in 1995, with the hypothesis that, over time, greater acceptance of other racial groups would be reported. In this follow-up study, the authors examined differences among a new sample of 122 Xhosa-speaking Black, 73 so-called coloured, and 234 English-speaking White young adults. Data were collected using a questionnaire that assessed aspects of these groups' perceptions of themselves (identities) and their attitudes toward other racial groups (their prejudice). Statistical significance was found between groups and over time across measures.


2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarit Piirtola ◽  
Tero Vahlberg ◽  
Raimo Isoaho ◽  
Pertti Aarnio ◽  
Sirkka-Liisa Kivelä

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii12-ii12
Author(s):  
F W Boele ◽  
J C Reijneveld ◽  
P C de Witt Hamer ◽  
H F van Thuijl ◽  
P Wesseling ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Many patients with low-grade gliomas (LGGs) continue to survive for many years, yet little is known about patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in long-term survivorship. We previously investigated HRQOL in LGG patients diagnosed on average 6 years prior to assessment (T1, N=195) with a follow-up in stable patients on average 12 years after diagnosis (T2, N=65). We present a final follow-up of LGG survivors (T3), now decades after diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS We invited patients who participated in our previous assessment (N=65), regardless of disease status. Patients completed questionnaires to assess HRQOL, fatigue, and depressive symptoms: Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Brain Tumour Module (EORTC BN20), Checklist Individual Strength (CIS), and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Changes over time (T1-T2-T3) on group level and participant level were assessed. RESULTS Of the 65 patients, 18 (27.7%) were deceased, 3 (4.6%) experienced tumour progression to WHO III, 7 (10.8%) declined, and 3 (4.6%) could not be contacted. Thirty-four patients (52.3%) participated. Of these, 2 had missing HRQOL data, with 32 patients included in analysis. Survivors were M=52.0 (sd=11.3) years old and diagnosed M=26.2 (sd=3.7, range 19–35) years prior. On group level, a statistically significant (but not clinically relevant) improvement in mental health (p=0.049), and a clinically relevant (but not statistically significant) decline in emotional role functioning was found. No other group-level changes over time in HRQOL were found. Minimal detectable change in HRQOL scale scores over time was observed in individual participants (28.1% only improvement; 25.0% only decline; 21.9% both improvement and decline) with 25.0% remaining completely stable. At T3, 25.0% of survivors scored above the cut-off for high risk of clinical depression (≥16 CES-D), and 53.1% of survivors classed as severely fatigued (≥35 CIS). CONCLUSION In this cohort of LGG survivors, assessed decades after diagnosis and treatment, HRQOL does not appear to be greatly impacted during survivorship. However, depressive symptoms and fatigue remain relatively common. Findings can help inform patients, their families, and clinicians and can serve as a benchmark for treatment trials evaluating interventions that can have very long-term effects.


2013 ◽  
Vol 168 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Brignardello ◽  
F Felicetti ◽  
A Castiglione ◽  
P Chiabotto ◽  
A Corrias ◽  
...  

BackgroundSurvival rates among childhood cancer survivors (CCS) have enormously increased in the last 40 years. However, this improvement has been achieved at the expense of serious late effects that frequently involve the endocrine system.AimTo evaluate the cumulative incidence of endocrine diseases in a cohort of long-term CCS.Materials and methodsWe analyzed the clinical data of 310 adults, followed for a median time of 16.0 years after the first cancer diagnosis. The monitoring protocols applied to each patient were personalized on the basis of cancer diagnosis and previous treatments, according to the Children's Oncology Group guidelines.ResultsThe cumulative incidence of endocrine late effects steadily increased over time. At the last follow-up visit available, 48.46% of females and 62.78% of males were affected by at least one endocrine disease. The most common disorders were gonadal dysfunction, primary hypothyroidism, and GH deficiency (GHD). The main risk factors for endocrine disease were male sex (hazard ratio (HR)=1.45, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.05–1.99), radiotherapy (HR=1.91, 95% CI 1.28–2.84), hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (HR=3.11, 95% CI 2.23–4.34), and older age at cancer diagnosis (HR=1.89, 95% CI 1.25–2.85). Male sex was associated with a higher risk of gonadal disorders, whereas radiotherapy specifically increased the risk of GHD and thyroid dysfunction.ConclusionsEndocrine disorders among CCS have a high prevalence and increase over time. Thus, endocrinologists need to cope with an increasing demand for health care in a field that is still little developed and that, in perspective, could also be extended to some selected types of adult cancer survivors.


2003 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 547-550
Author(s):  
C. Uggetti

The myriad brain abnormalities characterising tuberous sclerosis are all the result of the same pathogenetic mechanism, a genetic impairment of the germinative matrix. MR scanning plays a major role in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients who must be monitored up to the age of twenty to rule out the possible neoplastic transformation of subependymal nodules. MR scans should also be offered to the parents of children with tuberous sclerosis to disclose asymptomatic subjects. Starting from a total of 36 scans in a personal series of 24 patients, we describe the best sequences for brain investigation, the different MR findings and their changes over time with possible clinical correlations.


2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. E13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ash Singhal ◽  
Tim Bowen-Roberts ◽  
Paul Steinbok ◽  
Doug Cochrane ◽  
Angela T. Byrne ◽  
...  

Object The natural history of syringomyelia in pediatric patients remains uncertain. Although symptomatic and operative cases of syringomyelia are well studied, there are fewer articles in the literature on the nonoperative syrinx and its clinical and radiological course. The purpose of this research was to analyze the natural history of untreated syringomyelia in pediatric patients presenting with minimal neurological symptoms. Methods A review of the neurosurgery database at British Columbia's Children's Hospital identified all pediatric patients (< 18 years of age) with syringes identified on MR imaging. Patients were included in this study if they had at least 2 MR images of the spine, at least 1 year apart, while receiving nonoperative treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine changes in the size of the syrinx over time. Clinic notes were analyzed to establish demographic and clinical features and to determine any clinical changes over time. Results A total of 17 patients were included in the study. Symptoms at presentation were often mild and included limb numbness (3 cases), headaches (2 cases), mild sensory deficits (2 cases), mild motor deficits (3 cases), and intermittent incontinence (7 cases). The consultant neurosurgeon believed that the syrinx was not contributing to the symptoms in these 17 patients. The syrinx either remained unchanged (7 cases) or diminished in size (8 cases) in a total of 15 patients (88%). In the remaining 2 patients the authors noted an increase in syrinx size, in 1 of whom the clinical course also worsened. Both of these patients had a Chiari malformation and subsequently underwent craniocervical decompression. Overall, the mean change was −0.7 mm of maximal axial diameter (range −2.6 to +2.7 mm). Sixteen patients (94%) exhibited no worsening of symptoms over time. Conclusions Syringomyelia often remains stable in patients receiving nonoperative treatment. However, given that 2 (12%) of 17 syringes in this series enlarged, it is likely appropriate to include periodic imaging in the follow-up of these cases.


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